Skype Newbie Query

SaberX on 10/01/2018 - 23:29

Hi all,

NEver used skype except to login for my old messenger list… just thought recently about best ways to maintain the ability to make calls when overseas where credit or ability to make calls isnt' available, but wifi or internet is. Case being: japan - no calls allowed, but able to buy an internet sim card for data once there.

By buying a $25 skype gift card, do I just load it on and setup an account and wherever I am in the world on my mobile phone, I can launch the skype app and then just call normal telephone land lines and mobiles in australia - or any other country for that matter?

I was abit confused as I searched up the telephone/mobile phone call rates to various countries. Are these pricing flat prices wherever you call in the world? For example the rate is the same whether I call Australian landlines or mobile phones from within australia, or if I have to call back to Australia when travelling Japan?

Lastly - how is the quality of VoIP (having never used it or Skype) in calling a landline? And how easy is it to call back to Aus etc. if in another country, is it just standard IDD dialling? i.e. +6108 93xx xxxx for Western Australia land lines for example?

Just thought this would be a good way for emergencies like contacting insurance, banks etc. with aus numbers. Had the issue in america where my money wouldn't stretch in calling citibank back in aus to get me unblocked. In the end internet saved me in resetting my pin over the phone app - thankfully, or i would have been stranded with no cash to withdraw.

Thanks!

General Discussion

Comments

  • retiredfeline on 10/01/2018 - 23:54

    By buying a $25 skype gift card, do I just load it on and setup an account and wherever I am in the world on my mobile phone, I can launch the skype app and then just call normal telephone land lines and mobiles in australia - or any other country for that matter?

    Correct.

    I was abit confused as I searched up the telephone/mobile phone call rates to various countries. Are these pricing flat prices wherever you call in the world? For example the rate is the same whether I call Australian landlines or mobile phones from within australia, or if I have to call back to Australia when travelling Japan?

    There is just one rate (denominated in €) no matter where you call from, only the destination determines the rate. Remember there's also a flagfall.

    Lastly - how is the quality of VoIP (having never used it or Skype) in calling a landline? And how easy is it to call back to Aus etc. if in another country, is it just standard IDD dialling? i.e. +6108 93xx xxxx for Western Australia land lines for example?

    Varies a lot depending on the Internet connection, the voice line of the callee, etc. You use the IDD in all cases, though the app will probably prefix +61 by default. So you would drop the leading 0.

    • SaberX on 11/01/2018 - 02:35

      Ok great, so basically skype doesn't differentiate where your calling origin is. As long as you call the destination that's what you get charged in - so it'll be perfect for my japanese data sim to enable access to emergency calls.

      the rates on the website never mentioned pounds (if i'm seeing that symbol right) - but true, i didn't see what currency.

      Brings up an interesting question of IDD's and numbers. Are all phone numbers world wide the same length? I.e. when your in a foreign country and unabel to read sometimes they have several prefixes and numbers (japan was a case, somehow i managed various combos till i got hold of my hotel last time). It would be great if all mobile numbers or landlines have to be say 13 numbers, but i assume every country has their different lengths?

      I saw online skype credit loaded only lasts 180 days then becomes innactive? So correct me if i'm wrong, you can 'reactivate it' easily? So in other words skype credit won't ever expire or be lost permanently will it?

      • retiredfeline on 11/01/2018 - 07:20

        Phone numbers are all different lengths. So no phone number can be a prefix of another.

        You need to contact them to get the credit reactivated. Or just make a call or send a SMS before expiry to prevent this. You will get a warning by email before it happens.

        • SaberX on 12/01/2018 - 00:46

          but the reactivation is guaranteed - just inconvenient? So you technicallly never have credit expire for good?

          Noted about the number. makes it hard when your not sure of how the local numbers amalgamate or their length.. guess if you have a number you can try until it works…

        • retiredfeline on 12/01/2018 - 07:34

          @SaberX: I don't know what it's like recently I've only had to do it once. Think I emailed support.

          The main caveat with numbers is to drop any local prefixes like 0 when dialing internationally and to prepend the country code. For Skype all numbers are international. That's why it's best to store phone numbers in your smartphone contact app in international form.

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